I absolutely loved the first two Guardians movies: the characters, the dialogue, the artistic design, the humor and heart. It’s almost impossible to believe this came from the same source. But this movie is horrible. It does not hold up to the character development and excitement of the previous movies in this series. I suspect that all positive reviews are from audience members with extreme comparison bias after watching the other Marvel Phase 4 flops (Thor: Love and Blunder, Ant Man & the Wasp: Quantumaniacs, Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Sadness, etc.) And Guardian of the Galaxy Vol. 3, oh, where do I begin? This movie managed to encapsulate everything that can go wrong in a film, creating an experience that left me utterly disappointed and disheartened. It pains me to write this review for a franchise that I once held in high regard, but the third installment falls far short of its predecessors in every possible way.
From the very beginning, it becomes painfully apparent that this film is a complete misstep. The storyline is convoluted and lacking any meaningful depth. It feels as if the writers simply threw random ideas together without any coherent structure or purpose. The plot twists and turns, leaving the audience confused and disengaged.
The characters, who were once vibrant and charming, have become mere caricatures of their former selves. Their development is shallow, with no significant growth or emotional resonance. It's heartbreaking to witness beloved characters reduced to one-dimensional shells of their former glory.
While the film tries to inject humor into its abysmal narrative, it only manages to elicit laughter from me because of how woefully misguided it is. The jokes fall flat, lacking the wit and cleverness that made the previous films so enjoyable. It feels forced and desperate, as if the filmmakers were desperately grasping at straws to salvage a sinking ship.
Even the visual effects, which were once a highlight of the franchise, fail to impress. The CGI appears cheap and poorly executed, leaving scenes feeling artificial and disconnected from reality. It's a disservice to the dedicated team of visual artists who have previously delivered stunning and immersive worlds.
Overall, Guardian of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is a prime example of how a beloved franchise can take a nosedive into mediocrity. It pains me to admit that everything about this movie is simply horrible. It fails to capture the magic and spirit of its predecessors, leaving fans like myself feeling betrayed and let down. The occasional chuckle it elicited from me was more out of pity than genuine amusement. Save yourself the disappointment and skip this misfortunate addition to the Guardian of the Galaxy series. And I was moved to write this review only after watching Captain America: Winter Solider last night. WOW! Do you remember how incredible the Iron Man, Ant Man, original GotG, and other older Marvel movies were? Let's stop giving Marvel a pass for poor movies!
2/10